Joburg hawkers angry at court ruling

FILE PICTURE: Informal street traders protest outside the South Gauteng High Court, 19 November 2013, in the Johannesburg CBD. The South African Informal Trader's Forum took the City of Johannesburg to court after the forced removal of street vendors in the area. The appeal was postponed to Tuesday, 26 November 2013. Picture: Alaister Russell

Emotions were running high outside the High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday after a ruling that an application by city hawkers against their removal was not urgent.

“I am angry and hungry, for two months I have not been earning an income,” said Obi Aukeche.

Aukeche, from Nigeria, said he was selling shoes and clothes to feed his four children.

“For two months I have not been able to provide for my children… How will I pay for their school fees and buy food?” he said wiping blisters of sweat from his forehead.

Hawkers outside the court expressing their disappointment at the court ruling.

Judge Ramarumo Monama ruled that their application to return to their trading spots was not urgent.

“The matter is struck off the roll for lack of urgency,” he ruled.

The hawkers were asking the court to order the City of Johannesburg to allow them to return to the streets of Johannesburg to trade.

The city is in the process of verifying hawkers trading in the city centre. A group of women sang while men voiced their anger.

“I am so angry I could bring this court building down,” said Thapelo Mvelo.

“This is not fair for hawkers. We are starving. All we ask is to trade, nothing else.”